FIXCOM COMPUTER SALES and SERVICE

Fixcom Internet Security Service

Fixcom now provides a standardised "Internet Security Audit and Upgrade" service in response to the many concerns of our clients whose PC systems and business networks are permanently connected to the Internet.

Our Security Service is in two stages:

Security Audit and Report
We will perform a security analysis of your computer systems and provide you with a printed report that will identify specific security issues and make recommendations for appropriate security upgrades.
Security Upgrade
If our clients accept the recommendations of our report, we will carry out all the required security upgrades for them.

PLEASE NOTE that our clients are under no obligation to proceed with the Security Upgrade.

The Security Audit is a standardised, non-intrusive, fixed-fee service that includes system analysis with diagnostic software and a detailed report.

The Security Upgrade service is by negotiation, based on the recommendations of the Security Audit and our clients' requirements.

Security Audit

Security Upgrade

Fixcom Internet Security Service

Network Security Audit

We focus our Internet Security Audit on the fundamental security issues:

Security Policies
Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Protection
Firewall Security
Internet usage
Data Backup Systems and Disaster Recovery Plans
Software Security

Our comprehensive analysis and test plan is designed to identify all significant security risks on your computer systems.

Security Upgrade

Fixcom Internet Security Service

Network Security Upgrade

In our Audit Report we will recommend the system upgrades that will ensure that your computer systems are connected to the Internet securely.

With your approval, we will upgrade and test your computer systems as the second stage of our Security Audit and Upgrade Service.

After receiving our Security Audit Report, there is no obligation to proceed with our Upgrade Service. Our clients may also choose to proceed with some - but not all - of our recommendations.

Security Audit

Viruses and Spyware

EVERY DAY at FIXCOM we are servicing computer systems that have become infected with computer viruses and other malicious software programs that originate from Internet websites and email.

Sadly, the problem is now so widespread that it has become impossible to use the Internet and also avoid the sources of these viruses. Virus infection is inevitable without the use of effective antivirus software.

In addition to the virus problem, there is also a class of software called "Spyware" or "Adware" that is usually packaged with free software (such as search bars and other free Internet tools), but will compromise the user's security on the Internet and also degrade system performance. This type of software often "hijacks" the user's web browser and opens the door for more adware and viruses.

Unfortunately, even the leading Antivirus packages are ineffective against many types of spyware. To meet this deficiency, many new software packages have been developed to specifically target spyware and adware. Not all of these are reliable, however, and care should be taken when choosing software to install.

Viruses and spyware present the greatest risk to any computer system in terms of system performance, information privacy and data integrity. It is vital that all computer systems - from home PCs to large commercial networks - have effective software solutions to protect against the malicious activities of viruses and spyware.

Kaspersky Antivirus

Viruses and Spyware

Kaspersky Antivirus
http://www.kaspersky.com

FIXCOM recommends Kaspersky Antivirus software because of its excellent results in independent benchmark tests and the development of the latest versions to counter the broader threat of Internet adware/spyware/malware.

Our own experience in the workshop has shown that Kaspersky Antivirus consistently detects and cleans viruses that other Antivirus software has failed to detect.

Kaspersky Antivirus also has a many other features that recommend it:

User-friendly interface
Hourly virus definition updates with automatic update scheduling
Fast scanning with low system overhead
Scans and disinfects email databases
Scans POP3/SMTP traffic from ALL email clients
Disinfects files within compressed files and archives
Extended security databases for Internet malware
NEW network intrusion alarm
Subscription includes software upgrades

Kaspersky Antivirus has been developed since 1997 and has an excellent reputation world-wide.

Internet Firewalls

A network firewall is an "access control" device that is used to automatically block unauthorised communications over the network or Internet.

Firewalls come in two forms - software and hardware

Hardware Firewalls
Hardware firewalls are routers - hardware devices that are a gateway between a local network and the Internet and direct and control network communications very effectively.
Software Firewalls
Sofware firewalls are a variety of software applications that are designed to do the same tasks as hardware firewalls. They are more vulnerable to network activity, but can be more effective in the detection of outgoing communications by trojan viruses, worms and spyware.

A NAT router/firewall is highly recommended for all Internet users. It is a far more secure and reliable solution as an Internet gateway than either "Internet Sharing" for a Local Network, or a "transparent" bridge for individual users.

The use of a software firewall in addition to a NAT firewall is also recommended for users with high Internet usage, or a history of virus and spyware infection.

Trojan Viruses

Kaspersky Anti-Hacker

Internet Firewalls

Trojan Viruses

A Trojan virus is a software programs that provides a local "service" that enables network access by stealth from anywhere on the Internet.

Trojans are installed secretly - most commonly from email and Internet web sites - and computer users are not aware of their presence.

In addition to effective firewall protection, defence against trojan viruses also requires effective antivirus software and email security policies.

Kaspersky Anti-Hacker

Internet Firewalls

Kaspersky Anti-Hacker
http://www.kaspersky.com

FIXCOM recommends Kasperksy Anti-Hacker as the best software firewall solution for individual users.

Kaspersky Anti-Hacker is light, powerful and user-friendly, and has been developed by a multi-national research team who are international leaders in the field of data security.

Trojan Viruses

Email Security

The most prevalent annoyance to Internet users is the misuse of email services. Most Internet users have, at times, received high volumes of unsolicited emails containing spurious advertisements, fraudulent enquiries and concealed viruses.

There are many email options and software solutions available to reduce email security threats and block unwanted email.

Solutions

Email Security

Solutions

Email clients (eg Outlook Express) and Anti-spam software can be used to filter unwanted email, and Antivirus software will detect and remove viruses in incoming email. However, POP3 email services require that all email must be downloaded before it can be filtered and scanned for viruses. A more secure and efficient solution is to have email filtered by your ISP.

Yet a better solution is an email service where the user can scrutinise email before it is downloaded, and filtering and virus detection is also carried out on the server side. Webmail, IMAP and Lotus Notes are the most common services of this type.

For individual Internet users who may have no other practical option than their ISP's POP3 email service, we can recommend 3rd-party software such as EMAIL REMOVER. These type of applications allow you to delete unwanted or suspicious email from your POP3 server BEFORE it is downloaded.

Data Backup

Insurance against the loss of irreplaceable data requires the storage of at least two copies of all data, and this requires suitable backup policies and procedures.

Computerised data storage technologies are, unfortunately, more fragile than traditional media, and data loss is a very real risk at any time. Yet, many individuals and companies overlook Data backup requirements until it is too late.

Backup Systems

Data Storage Depot

Data Backup

Backup Systems

Suitable data backup solutions depend on the volume of data to be backed up and how much new data needs to be backed up each day. This then determines the most suitable backup media and backup method.

Generally, backups need to be made daily to reliable media (tape, CD, DVD, network storage etc), with backup copies stored both locally and offsite.

Data Storage Depot

Data Backup

Data Storage Depot

Do you have an Information Storage Strategy?

If your Small Business/Company uses Total Quality Management Techniques, you would understand the dependency of information today and the irrecoverable person hours needed to restart again.

The initial question is not "how long will it take to restore the system?", but "can you afford to be down?"

Offsite Data Storage and Recovery Services by I.T. Professionals

Data Storage Depot services are designed to minimise your system's downtime and increase productivity. Our staff are highly trained and qualified.

Think of us as your own I.T. Department.

Please download our DATA STORAGE DEPOT brochure for more information:

Data Storage Depot (PDF format - 245KB)

Backup Systems

Software Security

Internet hackers and malefactors constantly test and discover flaws in the MS Windows operating systems and the most widely used productivity and security applications. These programming flaws can be exploited to bypass normal network security and damage computer systems.

As Microsoft and other software developers become aware of these problems, they provide updates for their software to fix these flaws. It is very important for all computers that connect to the Internet to be updated with the latest service patches for their operating systems and software.

Software Updates

Software Security

Software Updates

Microsoft have "Windows Live Update" and "Office Live Update" services available on the Internet to automate the task of updating Windows-based computers with the most current security and software updates. Major updates, such as Windows XP Service Pack 2, can be installed from CD.

Antivirus and security software usually include software updates with their automated online update services.

Other software may be supported by email or may require users to follow news bulletins.

A number of software applications such as GFI LANGUARD provide a full network security analysis and can fully automate all software updates.